cut the umbilical cord

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cut the umbilical cord (third-person singular simple present cuts the umbilical cord, present participle cutting the umbilical cord, simple past and past participle cut the umbilical cord)

1. (idiomatic, euphemistic) To end a child's overdependence on or overattachment to their parents.

   Synonym: cut the cord

• apron string (usually tied to one's mother's apron strings)
• boomerang baby
• failure to launch
• mama's boy